Getting into the Spirit of Christmas

November 29th, 2013

More than just shopping and eating, Christmas is a big event that almost feels like it starts at the beginning of December and goes all the way to the New Year. Maybe that’s because there is Christmas music everywhere! Also, there are so many seasonal events to attend. Santa is in high demand! Read on for some events that you might want to take part in…

Heritage Park holds Once Upon a Christmas from November 23rd to December 22nd on weekends. Take a step back in time and go on a wagon ride, singing carols or visiting jolly old Saint Nick. Experience the magic of Christmases gone by as three historical families open their doors to share their Yuletide traditions. Take part in some of their special holiday activities including gingerbread cookie decorating, Santa’s Christmas Critters Petting Zoo, Christmas train display and so much more. For more information (including where to get 50% off tickets!), visit here.

Christmas in Canmore runs from November 28th to January 1st and with all the events running, there is certainly something for everyone. Join the magic on Main Street and the surrounding area with lights, decorations and holiday festivities including extended shopping hours on weekends (as well as a Moonlight Madness event!), outdoor movies, skating on the pond and a Kid’s Christmas Village. At the heart of Canmore there will be a gingerbread house featuring gifts for kid-sized budgets (no adults allowed!) and will host a bunch of children’s activities including storytelling, cookie decorating, ornament making and letter writing to Santa. Looking for more details? Please visit here.

The Calgary Zoo presents Zoolights! This is the 16th year of this tradition, and it is running from November 29th to January 4th. It’s a highlight every year, but given the flood this summer, perhaps this year is even more special than usual as it coincides with the reopening of the Zoo. There are over 1.5 million lights twisting around trees, tracing animal and dinosaur shapes and flashing to music to amaze you. Along the way, stop to warm up by the fire pits and have some fun in the Kids Zone. For more information (including how to get a 2for1 admission ticket for a future visit to the zoo), visit here.

November 30th marks Cochrane Light Up from 5:00 to 7:00 pm which has been a tradition for the last 28 years. Children can participate in crafts and activities in the family friendly area while Santa makes a visit. Local choirs will be joining in while the Christmas lights will add to the joy of the evening. There will be hay rides, hot dogs, hot chocolate and raffle draws as well as ice sculpting which is not to be missed! Want to show your Christmas spirit? Cochrane Activettes Food bank will be collecting non-perishable donations.

The 2013 season of the Airdrie Festival of Lights begins on December 1st and shines on until December 31st. One of Canada’s Top 10 holiday light shows, as chosen by the travel experts at where.ca, The Airdrie Festival of Lights is a beautiful, outdoor walk-through lights experience, filled with displays and other special features. As part of this Festival, Bow Valley Credit Union is pleased to present Christmas Classics on the Big Screen on December 14th starting at 6:30 pm. More information can be found here.

Last on my list today, but certainly not least is the Santa Claus Parade of Lights in Banff which is on December 7th starting at 5:30 pm this year. Enjoy the magic of parade, try to catch a candy cane or prize thrown to the crowd by Santa’s elves, and look out for the man himself leading a string of festive floats down Banff Avenue.

Get in the spirit and enjoy the holiday season, and if you should sing a Christmas song or two in the car on the way to an event, all the better!